WTAM Local News

Rock singer Lou Reed dead at 71

by Tom Moore, Newsradio WTAM 1100

(Undated) – He was lead singer of the 60s band Velvet Underground, but he later took a “Walk on the Wild Side” as a solo artist. Lou Reed is dead at the age of 71.

Reed’s literary agent confirmed the death for The New York Times, saying it may be related to a liver transplant the rocker had earlier this year at Cleveland Clinic. Reed died at his home on Long Island, New York.

The New York native became part of the band Velvet Underground in the late 60s. Even though Velvet Underground was not a huge success in terms of record sales, they had a huge following, and Rolling Stone magazine ranked the album “The Velvet Underground and Nico” as one of the most influential rock albums ever recorded. Velvet Underground was inducted in the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame in the class of 1996.

Reed left Velvet Underground in 1970. His solo songs included “Perfect Day” and “Walk on the Wild Side.”